Current and future Friends are invited to fall down the rabbit hole into the library courtyard where music, hors d’oeuvres, henna artists, flamingo croquet and lots of surprises await. Featuring a cash bar with signature craft cocktails by Valentine Vodka and more. We’re all mad here, but the best people usually are. Please join us for literary fun, meeting fellow book lovers, and dancing under the stars. There will be excellent photo opportunities at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party so wear a hat, any hat, to fit right in among your wonderland Friends.

Free admission for current members. Become a member by joining here for only $20.

This garden party will be a fun and funky celebration of the Ferndale library and of the classic Alice in Wonderland novels by author Lewis Carroll. Most importantly, it’s a chance for the Friends of the Ferndale Library to thank current members for their support and an opportunity to invite new members to join the Friends. More information and tickets are available through Eventbrite or by visiting the Facebook event page. The Ferndale Area District Library is located at 222 E. 9 Mile Rd.

Relish in a night of spellbinding entertainment and join the Friends of the Ferndale Library Saturday, July 30 from 7-10 pm for a whimsical Southern Soiree in the Garden of Good & Evil Soiree. The library invites current and future “Friends” to mingle and dance under the stars at the magical, courtyard event. Entertainment, southern cuisine provided by Howe’s Bayou and delectable drinks will transport guests to a sultry and enchanting Savannah garden. Cost is free for current members and only $20 to become a member by joining here. The bewitching benefit is a chance for the Friends of the Ferndale Library to thank current members for their support as well as an opportunity to invite new members to join the “Friends.”

It’s that time of year again for Pig & Whiskey Festival and we need your help! Once again the Friends of the Ferndale Library will be pouring beer at the event, with all of the proceeds going to benefit the Ferndale Area District Library!
Sign up for a shift today here!

Feel the Fern and Show Some Library Love

The Friends of the Ferndale Library kicks off their 2016 Feel the Fern Membership Drive on April 10, in conjunction with National Library Week. To reach their goal of 200 new members, the Friends will be asking the community to show some library love.

Ferndale residents are known for enthusiastically supporting their community. In February, over 500 people showed their love at the Friends of the Ferndale Library sponsored indoor mini golf event, CaddyStacks. Friends board member, Katherine Siebenaler, says, “This membership drive is a great opportunity for community members to go one step further and either become a member for the first time or renew a membership that was forgotten in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.”

An annual Friends membership is only $20 ($10 for seniors and students), and a great value considering the perks members receive in return. The Friends use those membership dollars to support the library by funding the purchase of books, media, and supplies and by sponsoring popular library programs, including youth and adult reading challenges and other events.

In 2015 the Friends purchased the new interactive early learning materials in the Children’s Learning Center, $2000 in popular books and DVDs, and shelving for the library’s CD collection, as well as sponsoring the Summer Reading Celebration picnic. Friends of Ferndale Library chair, Janelle Rogers, says, “We’re hopeful with a strong response to this membership drive, we’ll be able to do even more to assist the library in 2016.”

Caddy Stacks is coming to the Ferndale Area District Library on February 28 from 1-4pm as the main attraction for the Friends of the Ferndale Library Leap into Summer event! Take a break from the winter doldrums with nine holes of miniature golf throughout the library in addition to food and other fun summer games. Cost is $5 per person. Kids 12 and under are free. Ferndale Area District Library is located at 222 E 9 Mile Rd (ph 248-546-2504).

Performances include The Luddites and Ben Moy. At 1pm The Luddites will transport the audience to summer festival fun followed by Ben Moy at 2pm, who will play ukulele around the campfire for a sing-a-long good time. Ben Moy (Director of Orchestras) is in his 10th year of teaching orchestra at Ferndale Public Schools and Assistant Director for the Ferndale High School Marching Band. The Luddites come equipped with guitars, accordion, plenty of vocal harmonies, and a sassy horn section, that blends rock and jazz, with hints of eastern European folk and Bourbon Street swing.

Proceeds from the event provide additional funding to the Library and support cultural, artistic, and educational programs, including specialized book groups, children’s programming, senior outreach, and collection development.

Sponsorship opportunities are available at the following levels:

Early “Birdie” rates of sponsorship before February 5, 2016

Bushwood Country Club: Event sponsorship level $250

Dancing Gopher level: $40 to sponsor a green

Judge Smails level: $40 to sponsor a hole

Not So Early Birdie rates of sponsorship after February 4,

2016

Bushwood Country Club event sponsorship level: $300

Dancing Gopher level: $50 to sponsor a green

Judge Smails level: $50 to sponsor a hole.

About Friends of Ferndale Library

Friends of the Ferndale Library is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage the community and raise funds to support the library.

Always wanted to volunteer? Love Ferndale’s Pig and Whiskey Festival? Join us for a few hours and pour drinks on behalf of the Friends of the Ferndale Library. The only experience you need is to have fun. Click below to select a time on VolunteerSpot.

Thanks to donations from FFL members and fundraising volunteers, the FFL was able to give $1,400 to the children’s learning area for safe, wipe down-able, young childrens’ toys. These toys were specifically selected because they intrigue developing minds and encourage exploration.

Please join us at 1:00pm this Saturday, January 17 in the youth section of the Ferndale Area District Library for the grand opening.

It is with deep regret that the Friends of the Ferndale Library cancels the Pride Prom which was to kick-off Ferndale Pride on May 30. A special thank you to all those that bought advanced tickets. Your show of support for the Ferndale Library and for Ferndale Pride means the world to us. Your payment was refunded shortly after this statement was released. Another special thank you from the FFL to local businesses who donated generously to help keep the Ferndale Library a media and community center: Blumz, The Woodward Avenue Brewery, Pinwheel Bakery, Jimmy Johns, and Treat Dreams.

If you are interested in helping the library consider an inexpensive $20 membership to the Friends of the Ferndale Library. The FFL is a non-profit which supports, fundraises for, and raises awareness for the Ferndale Public Library. Money we raise is gifted to the library to buy media, host events, and for day-to-day operations. For a one year, non-renewing membership, please visit http://ferndalefriends.org/join-us/

The decision to cancel was made due to lack of advanced ticket sales. The advanced ticket sales goal was not met, and rather than risk the event being something that guests would not enjoy, the money intended for the prom will be used to help the library with its recently announced budget deficit.

Look forward to fun events this summer at the Ferndale Public Library which will continue to enrich our vibrant community.

This Friday and Saturday, May 2 & 3, from 9pm-Midnight, we need volunteers to act as bartenders, sell t-shirts, work the door and help setup and clean up. If you can volunteer, please click on the VolunteerSPot.com link below to register. You’\ will have a great time while listening to some great music and supporting a great library!

FERNDALE, Mich. (Feb. 5, 2013)–The Ferndale Public Library’s monthly rock-centric concert series, First Stop Friday, will feature all emerging female musicians at its Mar. 7 show. The Heaven & Hell Cotillion, a gothic do-wop quartet with old country influences and Juniper Baby, a space folk trio out of Ypsilanti will each play a set.
As always, First Stop Friday shows are free, begin at 7pm and are open to all ages.

For more information about The Heaven & Hell Cotillion: https://www.facebook.com/theheavenandhellcotillion

For more information about Juniper Baby: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Juniper-Baby/133462460032939
Or check out the event Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/642581409133401/

Make the library the first stop of your music-filled weekend! Every first Friday of the month, catch two great local bands for free!

The Ferndale Public Library is pleased will host a variety of programs about The Affordable Care Act throughout November and December. The library has partnered with different organizations who will help you understand and even navigate the Insurance Marketplace.

On Nov. 6, 2013 at 6:30 pm, FernCare Free Clinic and MICHUHCAN Chairperson Marge Mitchell will present comment/question session on the Affordable Care Act – Michigan. This presentation is designed for people who are curious, as well as people who are interested in enrolling in either the Insurance Exchange or the enhanced Medicaid program.

Throughout November, the library will host Certified Application Counselors from Advantage Health Centers. The Certified Application Counselors will assist community members with the Insurance Marketplace application process. They will be in the library’s community room on Nov. 13, 2013 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm and on Nov. 22, 2013 from 12:00 – 4:00 pm. This is a walk-in program. No registration will be taken.

Then on Dec. 4, 2013 the Department of Insurance and Financial Services will present The New Health Care Law: What it Means for You. This program will expand on the Affordable Care Act, shedding light on what this means for people today and how it will affect health coverage in the future. More information will also be provided about the Health Insurance Marketplace. Please register for this program with the reference desk, in person or over the phone at 248-546-2504 ex. 3.

June Axelrad will be honored as a Distinguished Volunteer Nov 13 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals at the National Philanthropy Dinner at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center.

June Axelrad, a volunteer who runs the Ferndale Public Library’s Friends’ Bookstore will be honored as a Distinguished Volunteer at the upcoming Annual National Philanthropy Day (NPD) Dinner, Wed., Nov. 13, 2013. The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Detroit Chapter will host the dinner which recognizes advocates, leaders, and mentors whose passion for their respective causes inspires philanthropic action and community involvement in southeast Michigan.

June Axelrad is best described as “enthusiastic.” June sorts through all of the book donations received, keeps the bookstore organized, and make the schedule for all the other volunteers. “She is always there when she is needed, and is every bit as reliable and dependable as an employee.” says Ferndale Library Director, Jessica Keyser, of June. “She’s part of our library family.”

The money raised in the bookstore pays for library programs and materials. The entire Ferndale community benefits from the work of June Axelrad.

Join us in thanking June for her contributions to our community at the AFP Greater Detroit Chapter NPD Dinner on Wednesday, November 13, 2013, at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. To purchase your tickets for NPD and learn more about the AFP Greater Detroit Chapter, visit www.afpdet.org. Every November, NPD is observed by 200+ AFP chapters across the country to recognize the contributions of philanthropy and volunteerism of those people active in local nonprofits. The event is presented by Crain’s Detroit Business.